Short Summary

EDITH PIAF, FRANCE'S MUSIC HALL "SPARROW OF SONG", WHO DIED LAST FRIDAY, WAS BURIED IN PARIS TODAY (MONDAY) AMID SCENES OF MASS EMOTION OUTSIDE HER HOME AND AT THE CEMETERY.

Description

EDITH PIAF, FRANCE'S MUSIC HALL "SPARROW OF SONG", WHO DIED LAST FRIDAY, WAS BURIED IN PARIS TODAY (MONDAY) AMID SCENES OF MASS EMOTION OUTSIDE HER HOME AND AT THE CEMETERY.

OUTSIDE HER APARTMENT CROWDS BROKE THROUGH THE POLICE BARRICADES TO SEE THE COFFIN. WOMEN WERE KNOCKED TO THE GROUND. SIMILAR SCENES WERE REPEATED AT THE PERE LACHAISE CEMETERY IN THE EAST END OF THE CAPITAL. SEVERAL ELDERLY WOMEN FAINTED WITH EXHAUSTION AND EMOTION.

AN ESTIMATED 100,000 PARISIANS VISITED HER HOME WHILE SHE WAS LYING IN STATE. AND NEAR THE CEMETERY TODAY THE ROAD WAS LINED WITH PEOPLE, MOST OF THEM IN BLACK OR WEARING BLACK SHAWLS. POSIES WERE THROWN UNDER THE HEARSE.

MOST OF THE MOURNERS WERE WOMEN AND OVER THE AGE OF 50. THE CROWD AT THE FUNERAL WAS ESTIMATED AT 40,000. OF THESE, 15,000 WERE INSIDE THE CEMETERY WHEN THE COFFIN WAS LOWERED.

A ROMAN CATHOLIC FUNERAL WAS DENIED THE SINGER BECAUSE OF AN "IRREGULAR SITUATION". MLLE. PIAF WAS A DIVORCED. SHE WAS ALSO ONE OF FRANCE'S BEST LOVED SINGING STARS.